Zander is 20 Months

 My baby is now 20 months! 

He's a total toddler now. Always finding furniture to climb and things to throw! At his most recent check-up the nurse exclaimed "so much energy!" That's our Zander :) 

 He has a very silly personality and shows a lot of expression with his face.

 We LOVE his kissy face! This past week he has started saying "love you". So very sweet. 

 5 Things About Zander

1. He loves Elmo whom he calls "Melmo"
2. Favorite Food is bananas
3. Enjoys being in the pool
4. He loves to play with big sister "I-Let" 
5. 22 pounds & 33 inches tall

My Testimony

God has laid it on my heart to share my story. 

My blog has been up for years and I've never told my testimony. 

 I grew up in church. My parents are both Christians. My mother had a rough childhood. She has never shared that much of it with my sisters and I but the things I know have brought me to tears. (Go here to read my mother's blog. She is better with words than me)

I'm so thankful for the bus rides to church my mother took to Sunday School as a little girl. Because that little girl grew up to have 4 daughters that are believers in Christ. I felt God's presence at a very young age. I was 5 years old when I asked Jesus into my heart. When I was 10 years old I got baptized along with my sister Jordan. I loved going to church and memorizing bible verses. I would talk openly with friends at school about Jesus and invite them to church with me.

 Once I hit high school it was hard for me to connect with the Lord. I struggled like every teenager does with wanting to fit in, wanting to be pretty, get a boyfriend...But I continued to go to church and be involved with my youth group. I was going through the motions just to please my parents. I was the oldest of 4 girls so if I ever missed church I was in trouble! My parents wanted me to set a good example for my sisters. I'm sure from the outside it looked like I had my priorities straight. I could still feel the Holy Spirit  but I put my walk with the Lord on hold.

I spent a lot of time with a way too serious boyfriend. Then I got another serious boyfriend. Then I hit 21 and decided I was going to live my life like a twenty-something should. I worked as an Esthetician Mon-Fri then went dancing in clubs or bars on the weekend. (not that I'm against those things but I was living only for me.) My best friends were married and my sisters were busy with school. I think being lonely led me to hang out with people I knew I shouldn't be around. Then I received some bad news that caused a lot of heartache. I felt so angry at God. I sought out the wrong kind of attention. Made some bad decisions.

When I was 22 I met my husband. After just 8 months of dating I was pregnant with Violet. I was in a bit of shock. How was I going to tell my family? Would Matt be happy? Would he stay? But I wasn't afraid. I always wanted to be a Mother. I could see God changing me with this pregnancy. I prayed for my baby every day that God would help me to raise him or her to love Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I was thankful for this blessing in disguise. I had been in a a selfish rut for years. My daughter brought me back to the Lord. Well, really the Holy Spirit pulled me back. Violet was like a wake-up call for me. I felt like a different person. My relationships with my mom & family changed for the better. I'm so thankful that God loves me and didn't leave my side during those hard years. I've seen God change & soften my husband's heart. I have a conviction now that I had been ignoring. 

Now I strive to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

"That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,  you will be saved." Romans 10:9


"Jesus said to him , "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Violet's 5th Birthday Party

 Our Violet turned 5 on July 7! She asked for a Luau Birthday. The picture on the top left is from her first luau party when she turned 1. You can really see how much she's grown! We held the party at our house. It was a great day and we're so glad our friends & family could join us. 

 As always I have my crafty family to help me throw a good party! Mom made all the food labels, shark watermelon & candy kabobs. Sister Jordan created the invitation below. (I left off all the location details for the blog) I took photos of Violet hula dancing and Jordan created some fun pictures to display at the party. I love how retro & fun they look! 

 My sister Jaley made coconut Shark cupcakes and strawberry Sun cupcakes. She makes a mean cake! Jaley and her friend Eric now have a cake/sweets company on Facebook called Sweet Ginger. 

 I kept the food simple. I made ham & cheese sandcastle sandwiches, Caramelized Maui Onion Dip with kettle chips, Pork Egg rolls and goldfish. My mother in law thought I bought the egg rolls. That was my second time making them. I made the filling & rolled them the day before the party. Dad fried them as guest were arriving. They really are the bomb! 

 I made a photo booth by hot gluing blue streamers to twine and then hung it on my fence. My mom printed out the props and I spray glued to heavy poster board and then used a box cutter to cut them out. I took photos of the guest with my iphone. Shhh, I plan to print them out and mail them with a thank you card.  

Love this photo of my second cousin Rosie with Violet. Adorable! 

 Matt and I got her the 4 wheeler. Not really sure what it's called. Violet says "4-mobile", ha! She loved taking her friends for a spin. 

So funny that Violet picked Shark cupcakes and a Shark pinata! Zander hitting away...cutie!

 She got these moves from watching Lilo & Stitch. One of her favorites. 

 We love you so much Violet! You are a creative, smart little girl with a sensitive heart. Thank you for being YOU. Your the best first daughter! 

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Linking up with these fun parties!

Delightful Order Blog

Liz Marie Blog

3 Years of Marriage

July 10 was our 3rd anniversary! 

Feels like we have been married longer than that. I guess because our newlywed phase happened while I was pregnant with Violet. Then our daughter was born and life got busy. We got married a few days after Violet turned 2. So thankful for the wedding my parents blessed us with. Such happy memories. Now we have our daughter Violet & son Zander. So thankful for this life God has given me. I love my husband so much! My parents watched the kids for us while we went to dinner. We had a nice evening!